I'm considering something similar... I think I read some advice from Abigail ahern a while back about how great plants/ your garden looks against strong dark walls. Anyway, latest inside out had an example using taubmans black fox.

We have dulux chanson on ensuite walls paired with white cabinetry and trims. https://www.dulux.com.au/colour/chanson Aerobus= slightly darker or Miller mood = slightly lighter

I would have it painted a white . Perhaps buy some sample pots in different whites and try on the wall to see which suits you .

@dreamer yes I was thinking a simple timber balustrade would look better than a more modern one. we are planing on putting a covered deck off the back with a similar balustrade too. @fianou Luca I love fixed upper. They were the reason we bought this house as I could see the potential. it is much harder than it looks go bring a look all together. I was contemplating painting the brick lighter like a wash but to scared to vomit incase it looks terrible and it is an expensive job to do. I was even thinking of putting shutters on the windows downstairs to give the front some texture